High heat returns; 100 by Friday?

Hot weather will return to Orange County just in time for the weekend, the National Weather Service says, with inland temperatures possibly passing the century mark on Friday.

The combination of heat and afternoon air flow toward the ocean also is increasing wildfire concerns, mainly in the Santa Ana Mountains and areas farther inland, for Thursday, Friday and perhaps Saturday.

Thursday is expected to begin with patches of dense fog as a strong marine layer lowers over the area, bringing mostly cloudy skies.

But air flow from inland areas should push it back by afternoon. Highs should be 91 to 96 inland, 76 to 81 on the coast.

The air mass over the region is drier, however, than the monsoon-moisture-laden air of recent weeks, so it shouldn't feel as humid.

Friday should be mostly sunny after more dense but patchy fog in the morning, with inland highs reaching the 97 to 102 range, 83 to 88 on the coast.

And Saturday is mostly sunny with inland highs of 94 to 99, 83 to 88 at the beach.

The heat and dry vegetation could mean rapid wildfire growth through Saturday, especially in mountain areas, the Weather Service says.

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